Lanterns Creator Addresses Backlash For ‘Dumb Joke’ About DCU Name Change

One of the people who made the show Lanterns has apologized for a silly joke they made earlier regarding the show’s title change within the DC Universe.

What did the Lanterns creator say about the backlash to his dumb joke?

I’m so excited for the new Green Lantern show, Lanterns! It’s being created by Damon Lindelof, who actually won an Emmy, and he was on the Lovett or Leave It podcast recently. He made a funny comment about why they decided to leave ‘Green’ out of the title, which was a really interesting little tidbit!

Lindelof explained the show’s original title was changed because everyone disliked the initial green-themed name. They now simply call it ‘Lanterns’.

After the trailer for the ‘Lanterns’ show was released, comments from Lindelof began circulating online. These comments eventually caught the attention of Grant Morrison, a writer known for his work on ‘Green Lantern’ comics. Morrison strongly criticized Lindelof on Substack, calling his comments dismissive of fans and questioning why he would start a show by seemingly insulting those who care most about the source material, describing it as “stupid.”

Okay, so after getting some serious heat from fans – especially those really passionate about the Green Lantern movie, and even director Gavin Morrison himself – Damon Lindelof actually apologized for what he’d said. It sounds like his comments really rubbed people the wrong way, and he recognized that, which is good to see.

Lindelof shared on Instagram that he’d apparently upset Grant Morrison, and jokingly lamented that this now meant he’d offended many of the talented British and Scottish comic book writers he admired while growing up. He took full responsibility, quoting Otis Redding’s lyrics, ‘It’s nobody’s fault but mine,’ and posted a picture of himself wearing a Green Lantern t-shirt.

Lindelof acknowledged he hadn’t been careful with his words, which he found ironic given how much he values the characters Hal, John, and the rest of the team. He promised to do better and live up to the principles they represent, and said the show itself will demonstrate his commitment. He’s eager for audiences to experience it.

Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King collaborated to create the series Lanterns. It features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, an experienced Green Lantern, who mentors a new recruit, also named Hal Jordan, played by Aaron Pierre. The story follows these two space-faring law enforcement officers as they investigate a murder in the American Midwest, uncovering a dark mystery on Earth.

Lanterns premieres in August on HBO and HBO Max.

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2026-03-17 18:17